It is possible to accelerate instantly to impossible speeds without any damage to the body.

You can time travel.

Powerful warriors are capable of a) falling from orbit without breaking their spines b) getting hit by freight trains and walking away from it c) fighting several individuals at once without getting hit at all d) killing entire swarms of little humanoids without being overwhelmed.

5 comments on “WHAT “Laws of Physics”?!”

When people talk about ‘real world’ physics in that context, what they’re really talking about is sci-fi physics. They are two very different things. Sci-fi physics are, essentially, magic. Space is unbelievably hostile to life as we know it; if sci-fi movies and games were based on real-world physics, it would be extremely boring and not flashy at all.

Ironically, SJ physics are pretty much a fantasy vainer of sci-fi physics. Gravity planes are not much different than artificial gravity; there are no problems with light or radiation (something almost never touched upon; ‘shields’ are just assumed); ships can get hit by weapon fire and not go tumbling in the weightless environment (stabilizers always assumed); etc. Sci-fi has a ton of assumed (physics-defying) mechanics built in that always work unless the plot calls for it not to work. Same with Spelljammer.

I think you’re right in that people get hung up on the similarities to space opera. As time drifts away and I work mostly from my memories and inspiration of Spelljammer, the more I want to include flat worlds in the setting. Better yet, flat worlds on the backs of starbeasts like Discworld. Just something to make the setting pull away the sci-fi feel just a little more.